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Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region

238 Colleges
$38,225 Avg Salary
$28,107 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Public Administration & Social Service School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, public administration and social service was ranked #14 in the country. In fact 98,583 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 238 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Public Administration & Social Service program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for public administration and social service majors pursuing a .

Our 2023 rankings named Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for public administration and social service students. IUPUI is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at IUPUI accumulate an average of around $24,178 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at IU Bloomington accumulate an average of around $19,026 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $397.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Indiana University - Bloomington

#3

Aurora University

Aurora, IL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Aurora University is a great place for public administration and social service students. Located in the large suburb of Aurora, Aurora is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Aurora accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $135.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio State is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Columbus.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Ohio State carry an average student debt load of $21,570. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $164.

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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great place for public administration and social service students. U-M is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from U-M carry an average student debt load of $20,375.

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#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from UChicago carry an average student debt load of $16,683.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Chicago Report

#7

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Purdue University Global landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. Located in the small city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Purdue University Global carry an average student debt load of $38,674.

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#8

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

With a ranking of #8, Wayne State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from Wayne State take out $28,944 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $116.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Wayne State University

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #9 on the list. IWU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at IWU accumulate an average of around $41,872 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #10, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

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With a ranking of #11, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Loyola Chicago take out is $25,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $685.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Loyola University Chicago

Grand Valley State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. GVSU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Allendale.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at GVSU take out an average of $26,500 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $247.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Grand Valley State University Report

#13

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public administration and social service students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Central Michigan carry an average student debt load of $34,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $202.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Central Michigan University

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Madison is a fairly large public school located in the city of Madison.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at UW - Madison accumulate an average of around $24,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Madison

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. UWM is a very large public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.

On average, public administration and social service graduates from UWM take out $30,601 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $151, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#15

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

With a ranking of #15, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Eastern Michigan carry an average student debt load of $31,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $172.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Eastern Michigan University

#17

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public administration and social service graduates from Cleveland State University carry an average student debt load of $35,541.

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Public Administration & Social Service majors at UIUC take out an average of $19,050 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $418, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#19

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Northwestern take out is $16,780.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern University

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public administration and social service programs. OHIO Athens is a very large public school located in the town of Athens.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at OHIO Athens take out is $25,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $305, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#21

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Spring Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Arbor.

The average amount in student loans that public administration and social service majors at Spring Arbor take out is $29,893.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Spring Arbor University

Sinclair Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Dayton.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Sinclair Community College accumulate an average of around $12,899 in student debt.

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Case Western Reserve University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

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#24

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH

With a ranking of #24, Youngstown State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public administration and social service students. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the small city of Youngstown.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Youngstown State University accumulate an average of around $39,000 in student debt.

Full Public Administration & Social Service at Youngstown State University Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, public administration and social service majors at Northeastern Illinois University accumulate an average of around $15,232 in student debt.

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#27

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI
#29

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI
#33

Madonna University

Livonia, MI

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Public & Social Service students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Public & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
36 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
36 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
38 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
39 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
40 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
40 Ball State University Muncie, IN
42 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
43 Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
44 Governors State University University Park, IL
45 DePaul University Chicago, IL
46 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
47 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH

Best Public Administration & Social Service Colleges by State

Explore the best public administration and social service schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Indiana 3,206
Michigan 3,411
Ohio 3,030
Illinois 3,948
Wisconsin 1,299

Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 58,326
Public Administration 16,905
Human Services 13,238
Public Policy 6,430
Community Organization & Advocacy 3,096
Other Public Administration 588

Majors Similar to Public Administration & Social Service

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 73,813
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to University of the Fraser Valley.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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